Variable Limited Homodigraph Alphabet
The Variable Limited Homodigraph Alphabet consists of a 36-character set, rather than the traditional 26 character set commonly used in English, primarily based on the Latin (Roman) alphabet, augmented by 10 variable characters designed to represent commonly used homodigraphs. Homodigraphs are pairs of identical letters in English that signify different pronunciations, as seen in words like “WEED,” “DOOR,” and “HELLO.” These pairs, positioned next to one another, serve as phonetic markers indicating how the word should be pronounced.
Within the domains of cryptography and cipher decryption, frequency analysis is a vital technique employed by codebreakers and analysts to interpret ciphertext. The Variable Limited Homodigraph Alphabet proves to be a powerful tool against such analysis by consolidating homodigraphs into a single symbol. The term “Limited” signifies the use of only 10 homodigraphs per decryption key, while “Variable” acknowledges the potential inclusion of approximately 20 different homodigraphs, including those from borrowed English words.
In the context of the Seed Stacks Cipher, each user has the ability to customize their selection of homodigraphs, further enhancing the variability of this alphabet. This adaptability and customization make the Variable Limited Homodigraph Alphabet a dynamic component of the Seed Stacks Cipher, allowing for personalized cryptographic applications while maintaining its effectiveness against frequency analysis.
An illustration of a Variable Limited Homodigraph Alphabet can be seen below, where the circled letters denote homodigraphs—pairs of identical letters found in words such as “WEED,” “DOOR,” and “HELLO.” By employing this approach in your ciphertext, you significantly complicate frequency analysis, a common technique used to break codes.
With the Seed Stacks Cipher, users have the ability to choose their own homodigraphs used, adding another layer of complexity to the decryption process. This variability means that there is no universal key for the ciphertext, making it even more challenging for potential codebreakers to decipher the message.